Respect: A poem by Delilah Wurth

Respect is given to the recovered. Respect is given to the success stories. 

Respect is given to the survivors, not the surviving. The man on the street is in need. Not needy. 

Maybe he put himself there, but it is not his fault if that is where he dies. He came into this world through the love of a mother, and left because of the hate of the system they preached so loud

they couldn't hear his cries. He is a father and a son. He cannot get to where you are because you do not give him anything capable of getting him out of where he is.

Relapse is a part of recovery, so does that not deserve respect as well? It was his choice to pick up the needle, but in his eyes, it's the closest thing to living 

He has ever known.